Being a married dad, you probably know that dating tends to feel a bit less “exciting” over time. Sure, at the beginning of the relationship, you probably tried a bit harder to impress your partner, but as time goes by and the relationship becomes more stable, there seems to be less need to try so hard. However, the first thing you need to do is realize that dating is not just about “wooing” your significant other, but also about sharing memories, rediscovering each other, and showing your creativity. So, here are a few of suggestions on how to re-capture the perfect date night.
1. Recreate your best dates
Remember your first date at the cinema? Or that time you spent hours walking on the beach? Or that date at the roof of your high school where you drank beer and looked at the stars? There were surely some dates that you’ll never forget, so why not relive them? Those kinds of dates would remind you of the beginnings and make you fall in love with each other all over again. It would also be a great way to see how much things have changed – and how much you two have changed. You can do one date at a time, or you could turn it into a tour and visit all the meaningful places in one night.
2. Be a gentleman
Hopefully, you didn’t stop being a gentleman after the first year or two, but in case you have, it’s time to be courteous again. Open the doors for her, prepare her snacks for work, bring her breakfast in bed, etc. You see, dating is not just about that one romantic night; it’s about constantly showing your wife that you care about her. Moreover, it’s the little things that truly matter, so do your best to perform little acts of kindness every day, and you can rest assured that your marriage will be filled with love and respect.
3. Give the gifts that matter
Love is never about the money, but it doesn’t hurt to get your spouse something meaningful from time to time for no other reason than love. So, instead of going out on a dinner date, organize a romantic date at home and buy each other the most romantic gift you could find. For example, if you know that she loves books, get her that book she won’t stop talking about. Or, if she likes flowers, buy her the most beautiful flower you can find. Moreover, don’t hesitate to spice up your date with some delicious orange wine and her favorite meal. She’ll definitely love it.
4. Let them plan it
Sometimes, the best way to plan a date is to let your prettier half do it. This way, you wouldn’t have to ask that familiar question “where do you want to go?”, you could be certain that she’ll like the destination of the date, and you wouldn’t feel the pressure of organizing everything and hoping nothing goes wrong. Perhaps you’ve already done this before, took turns planning your dates, but in case you’re the more traditional couple, and you’re the one who always organizes dates, this might be a perfect way to spice things up a bit.
5. Do things together
You don’t need a fancy bottle of champagne and dinner at an expensive restaurant to have a perfect date. In marriage, sometimes “good enough” becomes the new perfect – and sometimes all you need is each other. So, do your house chores together, play cards, play video games, or simply go for a walk and talk. Everybody knows that communication is the key to a successful relationship, which is why anything that gives you an opportunity to talk can strengthen your family bond. True, these ideas might not be what you’d consider romantic, but even the mundane, everyday tasks and activities can become much more meaningful if done together. Plus, you both have to do your chores anyway, so might as well do them together.
Marriage doesn’t mean that you should stop dating each other. On the contrary, since marriage is considered one of the biggest expressions of love, you should show your partner that you care about them more than ever before – and you should show it every day. Therefore, be kind whenever you can, buy her something meaningful from time to time, and go back in time by recreating some of your best dates. Spend time doing things together, and let her do the planning when you run out of ideas. If you do these things, your marriage is guaranteed to be long-lasting and happy. Oh, and don’t forget the babysitter too!
